Wednesday, February 22, 2012

As
many of you know, as I’ve mentioned it one too many times over the past few weeks,
we have been making some changes around our home. One of those changes was the
new living room set up that I shared with you a few days ago, another group of
changes we are making is in the kitchen. We are ripping up the flooring,
changing the sink over to a white based sink and replacing the table.

As it was
all coming together in my mind I could help but think – since the two rooms are
open and connected- how much better it would look if my counter tops were a bit
lighter. Immediately, Giani Granite came
to mind.

If
you haven’t heard of Giani Granite, it is a easy, affordable, do it yourself, paint on version of granite. Giani Granite is great for upgrading Formica,
Laminate, Corian, Ceramic Tile, Butcher Block, Cultured Marble and traditional
Granite countertops and vanities.

Now
even though my counters are Corian, they were pure white Corian, and I hated
them! It came down to given Giani a shot or new countertops all together – of course
the hubby thought I should try Giani first. So a little over a year ago, I went
to work with one of the Giani Granite Kits in Chocolate Brown and was really
happy with the end result. It was like a mini kitchen makeover for under 100
dollars!

It’s
held up for over a year only chipping in a small section where the bar stools
are located - in the spot where my children repeatedly spin the stools banging
them into the counter. At any rate, I wondered if I could go with a lighter
version of Giani like the Sicilian Sand kit and match the counter top to my new décor.
My husband was a contractor for many year so going on his advice and the advice
of a few men at our local home depot, my husband prepared the countertop to be
re-primed and I started with the lighter shade of Giani.

The
process is rather simple. You begin with a coat of black primer, allow it to
dry for 8 hours and then you can start the fun part- creating your “granite”. To create your look you will begin to sponge
on the three pre-packaged minerals - in three foot wide sections to allow them
to blend while wet. What I love is how much freedom you have to
create, making the counter darker, lighter, etc Basically you can adjust it to your style and decor

My first round - after it dried I went back and add more light brown and white

I
wanted to cover almost all of the black base, while my husband preferred to keep more
black coming through. I settled with more black then white, with the knowledge that
before I applied the topcoat, I could always go back and add more of a certain
color.

The
final step is of course sealing the countertop with the clear topcoat. Each kit
covers about 35 square feet of counter space.

If your looking for a change in your bathroom, or kitchen but don't want to break the bank, why not check out Giani Granite. It's rather simple and your also provided video instruction. I love my new lighter color but for some reason was more nervous with the lighter color then the dark and am thinking I want to touch up a few areas that I went a little to sparse on - in my own opinion.

a Rafflecopter giveaway&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.I received above mentioned product(s) for free through the above mentioned company or representing PR agency, for review purpose. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Thank you above company and or PR agency for supplying Review and Giveaway Prize. Prizes shipped by sponsor I hold no responsibility. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in anyway. Gift card and promo codes may or may NOT include shipping

I love the chocolate brown-- sometime ago-my husband and a friend tried to put in a partical counter top-- its brown--the rest is the ugliest blue you ever saw--that is what I get for leaving home a week to see my folks--lol.

I love the Chocolate Brown, but I think if I win I will pick the Sapphire Blue I love it too... My counters really need a make-over. My stove & fridge are black and I think the Sapphire Blue would look great.chocho1957 at hotmail.com

OMG I love how nice your counter top looks, I would choose the Emerald green, I have wanted a new counter top since forever but it just wasnt in our budget, wow this is something I know that we do instead and great awesome results, it really looks amazing.Thanks for the fantastic giveaway